13 August 1997
Controversial Knock project on schedule
Tom Kelly Reports
A controversial multi-million pounds master plan for an area of Mayo labelled 'the Black Triangle' is on schedule. Executives of the Texas-based company, Alliance International, will arrive at Knock Airport within the next ten days to put initial development plans in place for their proposed distribution and warehouse facility. The scale of the proposal is reported to be 'enormous' with huge spin-offs for the local economy in terms of job creation and infrastructural investment.
The chairman of Knock Airport, Mr. Cathal Duffy, last night confirmed that discussions with the Dallas conglomerate were ongoing. Fears had been sounded the company could be scared off by the negative national publicity following the original announcement four months ago. But Mr. Duffy made it clear there had been no change in the situation as far as the directors of Knock Airport were concerned. He said: "We have been involved in ongoing discussions with Alliance International over the past two years, and the company will take their plans a step further when they visit Knock later this month."
Mr. Duffy could not give a clear indication when the development would get underway. "With a major project of this nature, you cannot give an exact timescale. "It will involve a substantial planning application which could take a number of months to approve." Mr. Duffy said he did not foresee any objection to the distribution and manufacturing units which would vary in size from 50,000 square feet upwards.
The pre-general election announcement that a tax-free industrial zone had been established on lands around Knock Airport proved the magnet in securing an agreement with Alliance International. The American firm will qualify for a 10 per cent corporation tax by setting up their manufacturing firm at Knock. "The project is an exciting one for the region and over 2,000 jobs could be created in East Mayo in the long term," added Mr. Duffy.
